Europeans seek Syria condemnation

‘A CLEAR MESSAGE’:Supporters of a UN resolution calling for an end to Syria’s crackdown on protesters said they were ‘fairly confident’ of getting the needed votes

AP, UNITED NATIONS

Key European nations circulated a draft UN resolution on Wednesday that would condemn Syria for its killing and torture of peaceful protesters and demand an immediate end to the violence.

Britain, France, Germany and Portugal sent the draft text to all other members on the 15-nation UN Security Council. Experts from council nations were scheduled to meet yesterday morning to discuss the draft, UN diplomats said, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly.

The draft resolution demands that Syria take immediate steps “to address the legitimate aspirations of the population,” allow genuine political participation, release all prisoners of conscience and detainees, “and cease any intimidation, persecution, torture and arbitrary arrests of individuals including lawyers, human rights defender and journalists.”

It does not impose an arms embargo, but calls on all countries “to exercise vigilance and prevent the direct or indirect supply, sale or transfer to the Syrian authorities or arms and related materiel of all types.”

The Europeans, backed by the US, had tried to get council agreement on a press statement condemning the Syrian violence last month, but that requires unanimity, and at a council meeting on April 27, Russia was clearly opposed while China and India called for dialogue and a peaceful resolution of the crisis, with no mention of condemnation.

By contrast, Security Council resolutions are put to a vote. To be adopted, a resolution needs nine “yes” votes and no veto by a permanent member — Russia, China, the US, Britain and France.

“It’s about time the Security Council finally puts Syria’s rulers on notice that they will have to face consequences for the war they are waging on their own people,” he said.

The resolution was circulated a day before leaders of the G8 major industrialized nations — which includes all the permanent council members except China — meet in Deauville, France, for their annual summit.

UN diplomats said they expect the violence in Syria and the draft resolution to be discussed by the leaders in Deauville, probably this morning during their session on the “Arab Spring.”

The Syrian government’s deadly crackdown has killed more than 1,000 people over the past two months, the Local Coordination Committees in Syria, which helps organize the protests against Syrian President Bashar Assad, said on Wednesday.

Although Assad has promised reforms, he appears determined to crush the revolt that is posing the most serious challenge to his family’s 40-year ruling dynasty. The harsh crackdown has triggered international outrage and US and European sanctions, including an EU assets freeze and a visa ban on Assad and nine members of his regime.

The draft resolution notes the Syrian government’s intention to take steps toward reform, but regrets that it has not responded to the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people.